Dear Mr. Murakami,

First of all, I really would like to thank you for your work. I feel the joy of seeing a dear old friend again each time I come across a new book of yours on the bookshelves.

My question to you is about growing old. I am almost 27 years old now and will get married in four months. I feel like by getting married I will be crossing off one of the major items in my imaginary checklist of living, which means that I will lose one of things to look forward to in life. Of course there are and will be many other things to look forward to, I am not questioning that. But, one by one, they will go away. Whenever I stop for a moment and think about this, I get overwhelmed with sadness and a very deep fear of growing old and dying. Do you ever feel that？ Do you know any way to find peace with this feeling?

Many thanks in advance for your time, I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Wish you all the best,
Eda
（Eda、女性、27歳、Lawyer）

Dear Eda,

I think I have never felt that way. For I don’t have such a thing as an “imaginary checklist.” To me, life has been like a role-playing game and nothing is predictable there. You cannot tell what will be coming next. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy your life. Forget your checklist.

hm